Kent State University
Oakland University
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Late goal pushes Kent State past Oakland in exhibition match
8/17/2013 6:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ROCHESTER, Mich. – Kent State senior Jessacca Gironda (Akron, Ohio) scored a goal in the 85th minute to propel the Golden Flashes past 2012 NCAA qualifier Oakland University, 1-0, in an exhibition match at OU Soccer Field. Gironda broke the scoreless tie by handling a through ball from senior Morgan Mah (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and blasting it in from the right side.
"It was a tale of two halves," Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro said. "We came out a little nervous in the first half, but came out strong in the second half and defended well. It allowed us to get that fantastic goal at the end."
Oakland had more shots (10-8), but the Flashes put four shots on goal to three by the Golden Grizzlies. The Flashes received stellar goaltending from sophomore Stephanie Senn (Grand Island, N.Y.) and senior Julie Keslar (Akron, Ohio), who each played a half.
"Oakland possessed the ball well, but we sustained the pressure and created opportunities for ourselves," Marinaro noted. "Oakland's a good team, so it's nice to go on the road and get a win. Everyone got to play, so this was a nice start. We still have work to do, though. We'll get back at it and look to keep improving."
Kent State opens the 2013 regular season at 5 p.m. Friday (Aug. 23) when it hosts St. Bonaventure at Zoeller Field.
Team Stats
GIRONDA, Jessacca
Assisted By: MAH, Morgan
Through ball from center to right, shot
85:49
